Pentax FA 85mm/2.8 Soft Focus Samples

axl · 12-30-2009, 02:02 PM

I have to say that unlike my posts before, I do quite like the effect now, just shame that the lenses of this type are so expensive (well, at least in UK they are)

BR
Peter

harmonica2 · 04-17-2010, 04:05 PM

I haven't used this lens in a while, so I took it to the Los Angeles Flower Mart early this morning:

ll_coffee_lP · 04-17-2010, 05:17 PM

^ That shot is awesome!

c[_]

harmonica2 · 04-17-2010, 09:58 PM

After checking out your web site, I consider that high praise; your portraits are inspiring. I think that the FA SOFT 85 was designed for portraits, but somehow I find its rendition of plants to be its strong point. Check out this image of a metallic balloon stuck in a tree:

I love how it makes the leaves fuzzy. I have some fun ideas for taking some portraits in front of backlit vegetation with this tricky lens, but that would take some time and planning...

Last edited by harmonica2; 06-13-2010 at 09:03 AM.

harmonica2 · 04-25-2010, 10:01 AM

Here's a photo in front of backlit leaves. I'm going to keep experimenting with this...

Pablom · 04-25-2010, 10:05 AM

that lens is a gem

Thank you guys for posting

Cedromar · 04-25-2010, 11:19 AM

So who wants to sell me one of these beauties?

jsherman999 · 04-25-2010, 04:00 PM

You know, these are lovely images. I've completely ignored this lens up until now, because of the 'you can do it in software' argument... But you can do fisheye with software too, and those lenses are still very useful.

I think this lens deserves a second look. Except now that means it will start getting harder to find...

ll_coffee_lP · 04-25-2010, 04:11 PM

I appreciate the comments harmonica!

I agree with Jay on this one. You can do tonnes of stuff in PP, but if you can do it in lens (without too much fuss of course) than I'd always rather go that route (much faster).

I'm betting if you experiment with a particular style of PP for this lens your work would REALLY stand out. I'm lovin' the bokeh in all three images you've posted on this page.

Make sure you hang on to this one...it's a keeper!

c[_]

whelmed · 04-25-2010, 04:41 PM

Somehow this lens reminds me of the Porst 55mm f1.2

harmonica2 · 04-25-2010, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the encouragement! Now I'm really motivated to stick with this project. I'll post some more pics in a week or so.

**tranq78** · 04-25-2010, 09:37 PM

The FA85/2.8 Soft is uncommon. What is even more uncommon is the FA28/2.8 Soft.

Yeah, Pentax made a wide-angle 28mm lens exactly like the FA85 Soft. Now how cool is that for landscape photos?

**tranq78** · 04-25-2010, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by Cedromar

So who wants to sell me one of these beauties?

Good luck in your quest for one of these lenses. Used FA85 Soft lenses in good condition were selling on flea-Bay for $350-400 before prices on Pentax lenses really took off.

ming · 04-25-2010, 11:29 PM

had the chance to hold that lens for few minutes.
here's one that i got...

axl · 04-26-2010, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP

^ That shot is awesome!

c[_]

indeed it is!

04-17-2010, 04:05 PM	#17
harmonica2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 157	Another image from the same lens I haven't used this lens in a while, so I took it to the Los Angeles Flower Mart early this morning: Last edited by harmonica2; 06-13-2010 at 09:02 AM.

04-17-2010, 09:58 PM	#19
harmonica2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 157	Plants like it best! After checking out your web site, I consider that high praise; your portraits are inspiring. I think that the FA SOFT 85 was designed for portraits, but somehow I find its rendition of plants to be its strong point. Check out this image of a metallic balloon stuck in a tree: I love how it makes the leaves fuzzy. I have some fun ideas for taking some portraits in front of backlit vegetation with this tricky lens, but that would take some time and planning... Last edited by harmonica2; 06-13-2010 at 09:03 AM.

04-25-2010, 10:01 AM	#20
harmonica2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 157	Another example Here's a photo in front of backlit leaves. I'm going to keep experimenting with this... Last edited by harmonica2; 06-13-2010 at 09:03 AM.

04-25-2010, 09:27 PM	#26
harmonica2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 157	Thanks! Thanks for the encouragement! Now I'm really motivated to stick with this project. I'll post some more pics in a week or so.

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12-30-2009, 02:02 PM	#16
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I have to say that unlike my posts before, I do quite like the effect now, just shame that the lenses of this type are so expensive (well, at least in UK they are) BR Peter

04-17-2010, 05:17 PM	#18
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	^ That shot is awesome! c[_]

04-25-2010, 10:05 AM	#21
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	that lens is a gem Thank you guys for posting

04-25-2010, 11:19 AM	#22
Cedromar Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 30	So who wants to sell me one of these beauties?

04-25-2010, 04:00 PM	#23
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	You know, these are lovely images. I've completely ignored this lens up until now, because of the 'you can do it in software' argument... But you can do fisheye with software too, and those lenses are still very useful. I think this lens deserves a second look. Except now that means it will start getting harder to find...

04-25-2010, 04:11 PM	#24
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	I appreciate the comments harmonica! I agree with Jay on this one. You can do tonnes of stuff in PP, but if you can do it in lens (without too much fuss of course) than I'd always rather go that route (much faster). I'm betting if you experiment with a particular style of PP for this lens your work would REALLY stand out. I'm lovin' the bokeh in all three images you've posted on this page. Make sure you hang on to this one...it's a keeper! c[_]

04-25-2010, 04:41 PM	#25
whelmed Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 57	Somehow this lens reminds me of the Porst 55mm f1.2

04-25-2010, 09:37 PM	#27
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006	The FA85/2.8 Soft is uncommon. What is even more uncommon is the FA28/2.8 Soft. Yeah, Pentax made a wide-angle 28mm lens exactly like the FA85 Soft. Now how cool is that for landscape photos?

04-25-2010, 09:41 PM	#28
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006	Originally posted by Cedromar So who wants to sell me one of these beauties? Good luck in your quest for one of these lenses. Used FA85 Soft lenses in good condition were selling on flea-Bay for $350-400 before prices on Pentax lenses really took off.

04-25-2010, 11:29 PM	#29
ming Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: kuwait Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 44	had the chance to hold that lens for few minutes. here's one that i got...

04-26-2010, 03:59 PM	#30
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP ^ That shot is awesome! c[_] indeed it is!